Variable throwing angle target trap



Jan. 19, 1954 H. c. FOSTER VARIABLE THROWING ANGLE TARGET TRAP Filed Sept. 16, 1950 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 {M a W ATTORNEY Jan. 19, 1954 H. C. FOSTER VARIABLE THROWIflG ANGLE TARGET TRAP Filed Sept. 16, 1950 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 JNVENTOR. Hag Clark Foster (4mg, 6 IQ Z Jan. 19, 1954 H. g. FOSTER ,6 6 VARIABLE THROWINGANGLE TARGET TRAP Filed Sept. 16, 1950 r I a Sheets-Sheet 4.

IN V EN TOR.

Halgy Clark Foster ATTORNEY Jan. 19, 1954 H. c, FOSTER 2,666,424

VARIABLE 'rx-mowmq ANGLE TARGET TRAP Filed Sept. 16, 1950 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 IN V EN TOR.

Halgy Clark Foster W s. I

' ATTORN Y Jan. 19, 1954 6 mt, ds'r R 2,666,424

VARIABLE THROWING ANGLE TARGET TRAP Filed Sept. 16. 1950 s Sheets-Sheet s INVENTOR. Harg 'y Clark Foster ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 19, 1954 n 6f Unaware rie Inc., East man, 111., a corporation se aration-steamer 1s, 1950;Seritt1' Nb. 1 85,29; 18 crass. (ciiz' i 'ii This invention pertains to" target traps; such as are used: for throwing targets known asclay pigeons, and: moreparticularlyto power driven target traps; adapted to vary automatically the angle at which the; targets are throwna I n the' art of shootin targets of" the clay pigeon. type, it is-desirable that the shooter be unable to anticipate direction of flight ofsuccessive targets-. Heretofore; some traps designed to prevent such anticipation by the shooter by throwing targets-- at; random angles have employed chance wheels for the purpose while others have depended upon the random motion of cer-; tain of the trap-elementa The utilization of power operation instead of; manual operation with such traps complicates the: mechanism necessary. For example- ;in suchtraps the throwingarm isusuall-y'operated bya strong spring which mustbecocked-or energized prior-to the firing time-and the powerrq irementfor this purpose is thns intermittent Prior devioesha ve therefore either operated. the electrie motor te ent wh un at sta ib zy.amass n ii a t dpq m.i ai gm i rmusi 6n ch-c k g trqk j start under. deed was. h; the attending h ea wear, or utiiiz ed complicatedclutches and the l to connect a: continueusly muting mdfor" 1 ;-Q .is a ge sie hane: ing mechanisms, 7 I fi 's i enthc and 151168 'ne el sar' .tos fi l r eed. r2- 'i t i fiFe' hi-Qh u' les mas ely. and pofiaerdasly built have 'ben'subject torapid wear. v It-1i sthfefo'1e W im retedsprm for actuating the target t o im;arnestormother object are crevice 9? tr of mere 6: desig-nchara'ct ed'ty gco eflici andidependabilit 'ofop rQa 021%" A ffifitIiG'i Qbjt is to-providenovel mean s fortransmitting [from a" spring? to a target throwing-arms A still further object isto pro'vide a; t'rap with improved means'for positioningthe-targeton-the throwing arm, means foradjustingforthe infiuence' of: wind on=--the= direction of the: target, and means for efiecting smoothr operationor-the tra p throughout the cooking aims-throwing; 651C185" The foregoing objects and advantages, as Well as others which may become apparent from the detail; description hereinaiter, are accomplished n a c rdance wi h h v n ntio by providing a; target trap of novel construction as set forth herebelow, The driving power for the trap is transmitted from an el ectrie motor to the cock;- ing mechanismand the targetth-rowing angle changing mechanism through difierential gearing. The motor continuously rotates one gear in the epicycl-ic train-,another gear drives the cocking mechanism and still another gear operates the angle changing mechanism; The constructionis such that the gear driving the cocking mechanism isheld stationarywhile the trap is .cc cd osi i n and the s r operating the angle; changing mechanism; is held stationary during the cocking operation. The target carrier or throwing arm; is rnou nted for rotation by a shaft which hasiona its end; a' crank fastened to one end of a strongspring. The gear above eis rcdit as. d iv n the oc ns, c an rotates theshaftto tension the spring until; the crankarm: is just past dead center, beyond which ,theshaii zturne ahead of the a by the springuntil reach-ing cocked position where- 1199 th as r torm d- T e r p is main tained in cocked position by a sear controlled by ahselectrically operated trigger mechanism. When; rota on h d n gearv s op ed, rotation; of theggear operatingthe angle changing mechanism isauton atically started. This n gshei n e a ro ate k. having a eccentrically meunted linl; connected to the frame supporting the throwing arm, so that the frame andthrpwing arnarecontinuously oscillated in a substantiall-y horizontal plane while h tra 51. :so k si i nh tar et i placed on the throwing arm and is launched by action; of the spring when the switch controlling the triggen mechanism, is; turnedon. The direction taken by the target is determined by the position to which the frame has oscillated at the time thisswitch is closed. 7 V i The mechanism; permitting alternateirotation of thedriving gear and-angle changing: gear is s0; designed and constructed as to introduce a variation; in the time atwhich rotation of the angle changinggeafr is initiated after the, trap is in cocked positiom 7 This makesit impossible forthe shooter to anticipate the-position of the fran e and consequent target-launching direction. During the target la-unchingand cocking opera-1 ti'onsithe throwing arm-1 undergoes a complete 7 revolution; makingitunnecessary toareve'rseitlie' direction of motion in order to cook the trap.

, 3 An adjustment is provided for varying the eccentricity with which the link is mounted on the angle changing disk so that the angle through which the frame oscillates can be increased or decreased at will. The effective length of the link is also adjustable so that the angle through which the frame oscillates can be shifted to the right or to the left at will to compensate for the effect of a side-wind on the direction of flight of the targets. An adjustable stop for positioning targets on the throwing arm likewise permits a limited shifting of the angle over which the targets are thrown, but is provided primarily for the purpose of leveling the target flight. There is also an adjustment for varying the angle at which the plane in which the throwing arm revolves deviates from the horizontal so that the elevation of the target flight can be varied at will. A recoil snubber is utilized to minimize shock between moving parts of the trap occasioned by the spring operation of the throwing arm, thereby decreasing wear on the parts and improving the smoothness of operation.

Having indicated in the foregoing in a general way the nature and substance of this invention, there follows a more detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof with reference to the accompanying drawing in which:

Figure l is a plan view of a trap illustrating an embodiment of this invention,

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the trap of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a fragmentary elevational section of the trap taken at line III-III of Figure 1 for the main body of the trap and at line Gr-ll for the upper structure including the target carrier support, target carrier arm, and target carrier,

Figure 4 is a fragmentary plan view taken at line IVIV of Figure 2 with parts of some of the elements broken away for clarity,

Figure 5 is a side elevational view of the angle changing adjustment mechanism of the trap,

Figure 6 is an exploded perspective View of theangle changing mechanism of Figure 5,

Figure 7 is a vertical sectional view of the recoil snubber of this embodiment taken on the center line or axis of the snubber,

Figure 8 is a plan view partly and cross section at the line VIIIVIII of Figure 2, illustrating the target carrier in cocked position and release mechanism on the target carrier support,

Figure 9 is a perspective view illustrating the device for positioning the target on the target carrier,

Figure 10 is a fragmentary sectional view taken at X-X of Figure 2 illustrating the universal joint connecting the target carrier to the main drive shaft,

Figure 11 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the electrical control system of this embodiment, and

Figure 12 is a plan view illustrating a washer utilized in mounting the target carrier.

Referring to the drawing, Figures 1 and 2, the trap has a base I on the rear end of which is mounted an electric motor 2. A gear housing 3, which encloses the entire gear mechanism, is attached to base I by means of gear housing support 4. On frame 5, which is journaled for oscillatory movement about a vertical axis on the forward portion of housing 3, there is mounted the carrier arm support 6. The carrier arm 1, Figure 3, is mounted on shaft l5 which is journaled in the carrier arm support 6. The target carrier or throwing arm 8 having a carrier rail 9 is mounted on the carrier arm 'i by means of rubber grommets Iii, grommet bushings ll, carrier bolt l2, washer i3, nuts I4, and carrier shaft it, which is threaded at its upper end 13. The carrier shaft I5 is provided below the threaded portion with flats it which prevent'ahy rotary movement of the carrier arm I about the shaft IS, the shaft :5 being provided with shoulders i'i against which the carrier arm is held by the nut Hi. The use of the rubber grommets in mounting the target carrier ii to the carrier arm '1 provides some resilience in the mounting, the grommets tending to take some of the shock occasioned by rotation and sudden stopping of the target carrier 8 during a firing and cooking operation.

The washer I3 is designed to prevent lock nuts it from working loose as a result of the oscillatory action or the target carrier The washer l3, Figure 12, is a sheet metal stamping having perforations I300 for receiving carrier bolt i2 and end Id of shaft 55, opening i301, and ears NW2. The cars E362 are turned up against the flat sides of nuts it after they have been properly tightened. Since both bolt l2 and shaft end it pass through the washer i3, it is not free to turn about either one and the turned up ears 5302 make it impossible for nuts M to work loose. The cars I502 may be extensions within opening mm of the stamping l3, 1: so desired, instead of extensions IIOnl the ends as illustrated. i'he carrier shaft 15 is connected to the main shaft 28 having a vertical axis by a universai oint so that the elevation of the target carrier can be adjusted.

The carrier shaft in, Figures 3 and 10, passes throu h the carrier arm support 5 and at its bottom is provided with a flange l9 and a blade extension 2:: having a notch 2i forming part of the universal joint. The blade extension 20 fits into a groove 23 in a ball 22. The ball 22 is also provided with a groove 2% at right angles to groove 23. lhe main shaft 28 is similarly provided at its upper end with a blade extension 25 having notch 26 and flange 21. Blade 20 is thus free to vmove in groove 23 and blade 25 is free to move in groove 24 of the ball 22, so that upon rotation of the main shaft 28 power is transmitted through the blade 25 to the ball 22 to the blade 2e and thence to carrier shaft i5, and the main shaft 28 Will thereby rotate the carrier shaft l5 through the universal joint even though they do not have a common axis. The main shaft 28, Figure 3, extends through the bottom of the frame 5 and there is mounted on the bottom end of the shaft a crank 29. A connecting member 32 is movably connected at one end to the crank 29 by means of crank pin 3i] turning in crank pin bearing 3|. The other end of the connecting member 32 has external threads 33 which arescrewed into the end of main spring 34. A plug 35 having external threads 36 is'screwed into the other end of main spring 34 and is internally threaded to receive the adjusting screw 38. The adjusting screw 38 passes through swivel block 4!] and through a slotted opening 39 in frame 5. The adjusting scew has a T-head 41 so that it can be readily turned by hand to adjust the tension on the main spring 34. The swivel block 40 and slotted opening 39 permit lateral oscillation of the spring without actual bending of the spring. The spring 34 is a flat metal ribbon coiled edgewise, in order arrearsrm per-err a minivan heavyshrine" tobeufiiiized i-' ma11-space; p I p main shaft 2e is jammed its lower end in sleeve 4? provided with' shaft Bearings Afr an sleeve bearing, the bearin 43 being flied t'othe sreeve 42 the bearing being" fixed to t e housing nd the sleeve 42 being fixed m the" frame 5. The mainshaftg'B- at icsqp'per eneis ournaiee m sleeve (gnaw ng: shaft bear ingsf' 46 fixed to the leeve 45 and sleeve hearing 41 fixed tdhciusing' 3; thesliee'vei 4'sbeing keyed to the frame 5; The frame 5 isahereroremeunt ed for oscillatihn orithe housing 3. A- bearing Washer 43 is between the top of gear housing" 3 and thefram'e-S; The up er 1fcirtion of theframe 5' and lower pert-react t e earner a m suppo t 5 forma hOllSiflg for the universar joint, the frame 5 and support" e being" jbihed by means or trennions 49 in bearings em The triinn'iohs tlfus permit'the'sup'port 6*15'0' be moved with respect to the frame f'rlso as to' adjust the angle of the carrier shaft I-5=with respect to the main shaft 28. internally threaded adjustment member 5| is fasten'e'datone end to the carrier arm support 6 and to the frame 5' at the other end by means of pinste and adjustmerit screws 5 2" and 53', respectively, Ai spring 551s stretched between the'fr'ame Sand the carrier arm support 6, being fastened at its ends to the pins 54. The spring 55" rests in* notch 56 in the member 51 and; prevents it from turning except when anadjnstment in elevatio'n oi the carrier arm is to be made by" turning the member 5| at which tiihe' the spring 55isreadily snapped out of the notch'tfir The worm shaft 5T, Figure 4', is lou-r'n'aled in gear housing shaving bearings 59', gland BI closing'the'housing 3"- means of seal 62, and hearing Eli, and is coupled to the motor 2' by means of flexible coupling 58 The worm Shaft 51 engagesthe worm gear 6-3. A sun gear 64 having asleeve extension 31 to which the worm gear 63 is keyed has internal bearings 65- withwhich it is journale'd upon the angle changing disk shaft 66% Angle changing disk 61 i'skeyedto the ring gear disk F8 and tothe angle changing disk shaft 66'. The sun gear 64' has a bearing 68 upon which isjournaled driving ear disk 69 having a hub TI on which ismounted the driving gear 'IOL- The edge ofthe driving gear disk 69 is provided. three notches I2 eneveniy spacea' about its per phery. For ex ample one notch ma be lIOf separated" from the'next notch and the third f4fi separated' from thesecondnotch. v

The delayor driving gear di'sk' 69 Figures 3 and 4 also carries three studs or pins 1 3* on each 7 of which is mounted a planet gear I4, which planet gears turn on planet gear bearings 15. The angle changing disk shaft BB is jo'urnaled in a boss'- 16 at its bottom; The planet gears en-' gage an interna-r ring gear" 1 1 which is fix'edto" ring gear disk 18* provided with teeth or evenly spaced serrations l q. 'The ringgear disk 18- is keyed to the hub 80 of'the angle changing disk 6 1 and retire angle changing shaft-6e2- The-hub 8 6 is io'urnalecl in the closure 81 for gearhousing- 3 which is provided with bearing 82 C011 lirol pawl is fixed to' shaft 862-whi'eh is'jour-' nale'd' gear housing 3; and has pawl tip 84' adapted to engage notches 12 in the driving gear disk on" and pawl tip 85 which" is adapted:

t'eengage teeth 159'- of ring ear disk I8. The eorl'trol pawl8'3 isso eenst that either'l A V tip 84* is: engaging notches 12" or pawr iii-'1') 85 6 is engaging teeth 19'', put so: that: both: tips at and 8 5 are n'e'ver'" simultaneously such: engagemerit; Pawl operating lever 81' is fixed to the lower end of'shaft'86; Controloperating spring 88- is a compression spring bearingb'etvi' een housing 3 and. pawl tip 84 tending to force: it at all times into engagement with notches T2 Control solenoid 89- mounted en gear housing support 4' when operated acts upon operating lever 31 withdrawing tip 84 fromengagement with notches T2 and engaging np ae with teeth; 18

Angle changing link 9 9 Figuree 1 5" a rlfi 6, is attached at one end to ears 93 en frame 5 meansof link pin 91 in hearing 92. At the other end of link 91! there is-an annulus or portion having ahole 91in which wind-age adjusting 95 is seated} which huh has an eccentrically spaced hole" 96' carrying bearing- 91 which the spread adjustingscrew 98- jam-reared; Threaded holes 99,- I'EI'I), I-OI, I02, I03; and I'04' in' the angle-chang ing' disk $1 are each adapted to receive the spread adjusting screw 98. The hole 99- is placed in angle changing disk- 61 in line with the axis of angle changing disk shaft 68 and holes I 6 0-, I 0 I, I02, I03, and I84 are" spaced successively at a greater distance radially outward from this hole; thus making it possible by changing spread adjusting screw 98 from one hole to another to change the eccentricity through angle changing link operates. Windageadjustment latch I05, provided atone end with compression spring I66 bearing on windage adjustment hub 95, is seated in slot I01 and is movably mounted on latch pivot I 08. Latch tongue we" at the other end of latch IE5 is adapted for seating in notches H8, III, H2, H3, H4; H53 IP6 I-FFand Hilabout the circular periphery of link 90- by lifting the latch I65 to remove latch tongue Hrs from the notch in which itis seated and tiirni ng hub 95. It is possible to thereby effectively lengthen or shorten the link depending upon the notch which the tongue I89 is placed.-

Cooking gear I [9, which is mounted for rotary movement about main shat-t 23', Figures 3- and i, engages driving gear 70 and is keyed to cooking ratchet or ratchet wheel I20 by means of compound bushing I' Z I having the bearing I22 Cooking pawl I23 is mountedfor'movementabout pivot I26 on cockingpawl arm I24 which i's key'ed to main shaft 282- Cooking pawr compression spring I25 bearing between cocking paw-l arm [-24 and pawl I23 tends toforce the pawl F23 into engagement with cooking ratchet- I20; The bottom part of sleeve 45' serves as a-cam I2'-'-'I which tendsfor a partof its periphery, sayf-or about of a completerotation'of maifi shaft- 2 8; to hold the paw'l l23 out of engagement with the ratchet I20. Paw-i arm k e'y' I28 which keyesthe cocking pawl arm IZ' l t'o'the' main shaftis held in position by clamp bolt I29.

Sear-' I33, Figures 3 and 8; is; provided with a roller I3I andis hinged to bar I31 by means of hinge pin I33; Bar I52 is mounted for move-' ment about pivot I34 on carrier arm support 6 for the short distance permitted by' slot I84 in carrier arm supportcocking position the trigger I35 bears against roller I3 I= holding sear I30 in position against the extension of carrier arm 1 and is mounted formovementaiooutpivot I38 on carrier arm support 6.- Tension spring I31 isfastened" atone end to trigger spring arm M l and at-the' other end td sear bar I32 tending re hold" the trigger end l 3il in'cofitact'with roller I3I.= Trigger operating arm W3 when pushed by release armmernewmcms mcunteeoncar 7 rier arm support 6 moves the trigger I35 about the pivot I36 causing the trigger end I38 to move out of contact with roller I3I. The sear I30 is then free to pivot on pin I33. Control switch I42, mounted on carrier arm support 6, has arm I43 bearing on bar I32.

Master switch I44, Figures 1 and 2, is mounted on gear housing support 4. Release switch I45, which is hand operated and designed to permit momentary electrical connection to fire the trap, is provided with cord I45, and plug I41 adapted to fit receptacle I48 mounted on gear housing support 4, Figure 3. Power inlet plug I49 is adapted to fit receptacle I53 mounted in gear housing support 4. One side of the power supply is connected to switch I42 and to one side of the motor 2, Figure 11. The other side of the motor 2 is connected to one side of control solenoid 89 and to one side of the master switch I44. The other side of control solenoid 83 is connected to one contact of control switch I42 which is a double throw switch. The other contact of switch I42 is connected to one side of the release switch I45. The other side of the release switch I45 is connected to release solenoid I45. The other side of the release solenoid I48 along with the other side of the master switch I44 is connected to the other side of the power supply. The master switch I44 is a double throw switch which when not connecting the power source to the motor 2, shorts the release switch I45, as illustrated in Figure 11.

A piston rod I54 of a recoil snubber, Figures 1, 2, and '1, is attached at one end to an ear or projection I5I on frame 5 by means of clevis I53 and clevis pin I52 and at the other end to piston I55 in cylinder I56. The cylinder is closed at the far end by means of a cap I51, sealing ring I55, and cap locking ring I56. At the near end the cylinder is closed by means of gland I58, gland sealing ring I53, piston rod sealing ring IBI, piston rod scraper I62, scraper retaining ring I53, seal backup ring I64, and gland locking ring I65. The cylinder is enclosed in a housing I51 provided with a filling plug I58. on ears or projections m9 on gear housing support 4 by means of trunnions I13, the cylinder housing I31 being provided with bearings I1I. Port I12 in the far end of cylinder I56 permits fluid to leave the cylinder as the piston I55 moves forward or enter the cylinder as the piston I55 moves backward. Port I13 in the near end of the cylinder permits fluid to enter the cylinder as the piston moves forward and permits fluid to leave the cylinder as the piston moves backward. Pressure equalizing port I14 tends to prevent leakage of the fluid from the cylinder between the piston rod 4 and the gland I58. Expansion chamber I15 within the housing I51 tends to minimize the effect of the external temperature on the recoil chamber system. The trunnions I15 permit the cylinder I56 and housing I61 to oscillate on a vertical axis in accordance with the movement of frame 5.

A rod I16, Figures 8 and 9, which may if desired have its surface roughened or threaded, is

mounted at its ends in projections I11 from the edge of target carrier 8. Clip members I18 and I15 have holes I83 through which rod I16 passes. Clip members I18 and I19 have right angle pro- ,iections I38 and IBI, respectively, bent in opposite directions from the planes of the clip members. The projections I33 and IN extend above the surface of the target carrier 8 and are pulled toward each other by means of a rubber band or,

The housing is mounted other tensioning member I32 which serves as a stop for positioning the target on the target carrier 8. The potential position of the target can be adjusted merely by squeezing the clip members I12 and I19 between the fingers to release the frictional or looking engagement of the edges of the holes I63 with the rod I16 and sliding the members along the rod to the desired position. Upon releasing the clip members I18 and I19, the rubber band I82 again brings the projections I and I5I closer together which causes the edges of the holes I83 to frictionally engage the rod I16.

In operation, plug I45 from the electric power line is plugged into receptacle I53, and master switch I44 is turned on. Electric motor 2 is thereby started, driving worm shaft 51, worm gear 63, and sun gear 54. Upon turning on switch I44 solenoid 83 is energized causing pawl tip 85 of pawl 83 to engage teeth 19 and hold rin gear 11 stationary. With sun gear 64 rotating and ring gear 11 held stationary, planet gears 14 are caused to revolve about sun gear 54 turning driving gear 15, cocking gear I I3 and cooking ratchet I25. Ratchet I23 engages cooking pawl I23 which turns main shaft 28. Crank 23 on the bottom of main shaft 23 stretches main spring 34 during such rotation and carrier shaft I5, carrier arm 1, and target carrier 8 are rotated until the projection on arm 1 engages the sear I30. When the sear I313 is thus engaged the movement causes bar I32 to move arm I43 of control switch I42 disconnecting control solenoid 89 from the power source and connecting release switch I45 and release solenoid I40 to the power circuit. When control solenoid 35 is cut out of the circuit by the switch I42, spring 88 acting on pawl 83 disengages pawl tip 35 from teeth 13 of ring gear 18 permitting the ring gear to turn and simultaneously brings pawl tip 34 into position to engage a notch 12 in driving gear disk 59 to stop movement of driving gear III and ratchet I23 on cooking gear I I5.

During the rotation of the main shaft 28 just prior to the time that the projection on carrier arm 1 engages sear I35, crank 29 at the bottom of main shaft 28 reaches a point past center and cooking pawl I23 reaches a position such that a cam I21 disengages the pawl I23 from the ratchet I25, and the completion of the cooking stroke bringing the projection on arm 1 into contact with sear I33 is accomplished through the action of the main spring 34. The spring I31 is under tension at all times and returns trigger I35 to normal position, blocking roller I3I, immediately upon release of switch I45 and prior to completion of the cocking cycle. When arm 1 contacts sear I35, the roller moves across the fiat end of trigger I35 and moves bar I32 to operate switch I42, and de-energize solenoid 59. At this point therefore drive gear disk 6% is held stationary by pawl tip 84 which disk 69 also holds driving ear 13, cocking gear H9, and ratchet I25 stationary, while pawl I23 is held out of engagement with ratchet I20 by cam member I21.

When the spring 88 operates to move pawl tip 84 in position to engage notch 12 on disk 59, pawl tip 85 is pushed out of engagement with teeth 13 on ring gear disk 18 thereby permitting ring gear disk 18 and ring gear 11 to turn and be driven by planet gears 14, whose studs 13 are mounted in disk 59 and no longer revolve about shaft 65. Thus, while the trap is in cocked position sun gear 64 through planet gears 14 drives ring gear 11 turning disk 18 and angle changing disk 61.

Angle changing disk 61 in rotating osciiIates frame 5 through the action of angle changing link to. The main'shait 28, cocking pawl arm 124, carrier shaft [5, carrier arm support 6 and ail parts mounted thereon, including target carrier 8, oscillate with the frame 5 through a large or small angle depending upon the position of spread adjusting screw Q8. For example, if spread adjusting screw 98 is positioned in hole 99 in angle changing disk 61, no oscillation of the frame 5 and other parts occurs due to the fact that this hole is in line with the axis of shaft 66. When screw 98 is positioned in hole M the frame osciilates through a small angle. Hoies Hif through 68 provide successively larger oscillation angles for frame 5, since they are each respectively at a greater distance from the axis of rotation of shaft 65-. with the trap is cocked position and frame SQoseiIlating a target is placed on target carrier 8 against the stop m2 and the trap is ready for firing, Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, and 8. The target is thrown merely by momentarily closing the release swit'oh M5.

When the release switch M5 is turned on, release solenoid M1! is energized pushing on arm @39- of trigger r35, further tensioning' spring [31, and movin trigger end I38 out of contact with rolier m of the sear rat. The scar r moves about pin I33 momentariiy oiit of engagement with carrier arm 1, leaving it free to rotate and throw the target from the-target carrier 8 through the action of main spring 34 rotating main shaft 28' and carrier shaft [5 When the arm 1 leaves the sear IKII, spring f 3''! causes bar 13-2 to move about pivot f34 for the short distance permitted by slot PM, Which movement perm-its action or control switch l4'2 to connect control solenoid 89 into the circuit, and to out switch [45 and reiease solenoid 140' out ofv the; circuit, The instant that current to soIenoi'd, [MI is turned on, the tension on spring [31 operates to move trigger i5 so that end; [38 thereof, by cam action on roller ffl, again movesv sear [iii into position for engaging carrier: arm 1, When solenoid 89" is" tliiis energized. it pulls on pawl. operating" lever 81 operatin pawl 8'3 to disengage pawl tip 84 from notch 1 2T and causes lpawilt'i'p to engage teeth 79?, which holds ring. gear 11' stationary, and thereby'stops' oscillation. ofirame 5'. Planet gears 74' then revolve about sun gear 84 tmhingdriv'ing gear T0; cocking; glah H9 and cooking ratchet no. As the tar et carrier 8 reaches the end of its target throwing stroke. cam 12*! permits cocking pawi rat to engage ratchet I20 completing the revolution. of inainshaft 28 to bring thetrap into cocked position with the carrier arm r engaged, with. sear i301 The main sprin 3 is tensionedthrough. action ofcranh 29. The tension: on spring r3? maintains; bar ['32 a position such that. m keeps. control solenoid 89' energized front the, time switch [45. turned on until; arm 1 again engages. sear: 13b; The tension on spring: t3? likewise maintains arm I39 of" trigger fit-'5' buttedi up against the armature of solenoid MG. Control solenoid 8'3 i's-thus out out of the circuit through the movement of? bar I32 occasioned by engagement of; ari'n- T with sear i358 and pawl 83 operatedto hofdl drains; gear 10 stationary and cause oscillationof name. 5,:i111as describedhereinbefore. 7

Inasmuch as the notches 12" indrifvii'rg gear diskoa are uneveniy Spaced arot'ind its periphery; there is occasioned a greater deny some incycle of positions of the frame 5 with respect to the instant that the trap is fired, so that it is impossible for a shooter to predict the angle at which the target Will be thrown. Frame 9 does not commence its oscillation until rotation of driving gear 1c is prevented b the enga ement of pawl tip 86 with a notch 12'. When the arm 1 has engaged the sear I30 the trap is again in cocked position and after placing a; target on the target carrier 8 it may again be fired merely by turning on the switch M5 and the firing and cooking cycle again repeated as often as desired.

The master switch :44 is a double throw switch, which when turned oif, Figure 11, disconnects the motor 2' and so1enoid 89 from the circuit and shorts the switch I45 thereby energizing release solenoid Mo to fire the trap, reieasing the tension on main spring 34, and causing target carrier 8 to rotate to a position where cam l2! permits pawl I23 to engage ratchet I26. When the arm 1 leaves the sear 130, the switch Hi2 operated by spring 531 to disconnect solenoid. I40 and leave all circuits dead. Thus, when master switch I45 is again turned on, the trap will go through the cooking cycle as described hereinbef'ore. Upon turning on the master switch (44 the trap is therefore in fired position with no torque on shaft 28' due to its main spring 3'4, so that the tra is' safe to handle for the urpose of making adjustments and the like. If it is desfred to have greater or Iesser' tension on main spring 34 is accomplished merely b turning the adjusting s'cre'W so. If it is desiredto change the elevation of the target carrier" 8 this is accomplished by turning adjustment member 5:.

The exact angle at which the target is thrown ciepends upon the position to which the frame 5 and target carrier 8 have os'c'illa'itd at the instant the carrier arm 7- is freed through the ac"- tion of the trigger res. As pointed out hereinbefore the spread or angle through which the frame ft and target carrier 8 osci'ilate is determined by the position of the screw 98 in the angle changing disk o1. Ifit is desired to? have the angle through which the frame 5 and target carrier 8 osciliate displaced more to the right or displaced more to the left; this canbe accom plished by changing the position of the winoage adjustment latch let'- respect to the notches IO through {alga in fii'ik 90. Likewise, by moving the stop I82 closer to the free end of the target carrier 8*, targets tend to be thrown more to the right; Whereas by moving" t e stop r82 further away from the free end" of the target carrier 8, the target's tend to be thrown more to the left". Nor'mallythefatch tongue H19 on wind; age adjustment latch 05 will be in notch I]! so that the targets will be thrown evenly to the right and left of the front of the tra If it is desire-cl;v however; to" move the angle or spread over which the targets are thrown more to the left; latch I05 is moved so that latch tongue [0 9- is' in one off" the notches I l 3 through l f0 dpefid: izig. upo'n far to the left one wishes to shift the angle: Su'ch action. is accomplished because the link 95 is successively ma e efiect'ively shorterin moving the latch tongue I'UH' successively from notch ll i into lf'fii II'Z, llil", and 1 H1 Likewise by? movin the. latch tongue sucoessively front notch rm int'o notches I is; its n 11, and 118,. th link: 90 is made successively ionger 'and' the. angle of spread is shifted, to the right. with the maximum; shift to the right being, a'cc'ol'nplisheliby stances than others in the" engagement; of placing the latch tongue -l as" in: notch uga; The:

newt tip on with notch iiiteifrubting the windage ada'ustinent huh remaifisih fi'x'edposition within hole 94 in the angle changing link 80 except when rotated by movement of windage adjustment latch I05. Such adjustments make it possible to throw the targets over the desired angle even though there be a strong side wind, since the angle over which the targets are thrown can be adjusted to the right or the left to compensate for the effect of wind on the direction of flight of the targets.

Ihe recoil snubber acting between the frame and the gear housing support 4 serves to cushion sudden movements of the frame 5. As the frame 5 oscillates while the trap is in cocked position, the piston I55 is moved backwards and forwards within the cylinder 56 at relatively low velocity, with the fluid therein entering and leaving ports I 12 and H3 with little resistance to the movement. Any sudden movement of the frame 5, however, is resisted or cushioned due to the resistance offered by the oil or other fluid in entering or leaving Hi2 and H3. Sudden or shock movements of the frame 5 are sometimes oc casioned by action of the main spring 34 in producing a torque on frame 5, during the very short period of time when tip 85 of pawl 83 is not in engagement with teeth i9 and tip 34 is not in engagement with notches '52. Such shock may cause the target to accelerate on the target carrier 8 leaving the rail 53 and then bumping into the rail 9 again, before it leaves the carrier 8, with a subsequent breaking of the target on the carrier. The recoil snubber minimizes the effect of such shock movements of the frame and target carrier 8, preventing such breakage of targets and wear on the parts.

Thus, in accordance with this invention a novel, sturdy, efficient, and compact trap for throwing clay pigeons is provided having the advantages, among others, of being electrically operated, smooth running, and capable of continuously throwing targets at varied angles without possi bility of the shooter anticipating the direction of flight of successive targets. It is to be understood that the embodiment of the present invention as shown and described is only illustrative and that many changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed and desired to secure by by Letters Patent is:

1. In a target trap having a base, a support thereon, a frame mounted for oscillation on said support, and a spring actuated target throwing arm movably mounted on said frame, the combination comprising means for oscillating said frame and arm, means for cocking said spring, means for firing said trap, control means for actuating alternately said cooking and said oscillating means, means operating in conjunction with said control means for varying the time said oscillation is commenced, means preventing target-damaging shock movements of said throwing arm, means for positioning targets on said arm, means for varying the angle through which said frame oscillates, and means for shifting the position of said angle.

2. A target trap having in combination a base, a support thereon, a frame mounted for oscillation on said support, electrically controlled mechanism for oscillating said frame, a spring actuated target throwing arm, electrically controlled mechanism for cocking said spring, mechanism for holding said spring in cocked position, electrically controlled trigger mechanism leasing said holding mechanism and firing-said trap, a motor for operation of said trap, a differential gear train continuously driven by said motor for transmitting power from said motor alternately to said cooking and said oscillating mechanisms, means for varying the time oscillation of said frame is initiated after said trap is fired, means preventing target-damaging shock movements of said throwing arm, adjustable means for positioning targets on said arm, adjustable means for varying the angle through which said frame oscillates, and adjustable means for shifting the position of said angle.

3. A target trap having in combination a base, a support thereon for gear mechanism, a frame mounted for oscillation on said support, mechanism for oscillating said frame, a target throwing arm resiliently mounted for rotation on said frame, a spring for actuating said arm, means for transmitting power from'said spring to said target throwing arm, mechanism for cooking said spring, mechanism for holding said spring in cocked position, trigger mechanism for releasing said holding mechanism and firing said trap, electrical means for actuating said trigger mechanism, a motor for operation of said trap, a differential gear train for transmitting the power from said motor to said cooking and said oscillating mechanisms, a gear in said train for driving said oscillating mechanism, a gear in said train for driving said cocking mechanism, electrical control means operated by said holding means for alternately actuating said cocking gear and said oscillating gear, means operating in cooperation with said control means for varying the time oscillation of said frame is initiated after the trap is fired, a recoil snubber for preventing target-damaging shock movements of said throwing arm, adjustable stop means for positioning targets on said arm, means for ad justing the spread of the angle through which said frame oscillates, and adjustable means for shifting the position of said angle.

4. In a target trap, the combination compris-- ing a base, a housing for the gear mechanism mounted thereon, a frame movably mounted on said housing for oscillation in a substantially horizontal plane, a main shaft extending through said housing and journaled in said frame, a target throwing carrier mounted on the upper end of a carrier shaft inclined to the vertical and having its bottom end connected to the upper end of said main shaft by means of a universal joint, a carrier support in which said carrier shaft is journaled provided with an adjustable link to said frame to permit adjustment of the inclination of said carrier shaft, a crank secured to the lower end of said main shaft, a main spring connected to the end of said crank for driving said carrier to eject a target therefrom, means on said frame for anchoring said main spring and adjusting the tension thereof, sear means on said carrier support for holding said carrier in cocked position, trigger means for releasing said carrier, manually operable means for electrically actuating said trigger means, eccentric drive means for oscillating said frame extending from and journaled in said housing, a link connecting said frame and eccentric drive, a differential gear train journaled within said housing, a motor for continuously driving said gear train, a ring gear in said train adapted to drive said eccentric drive, a cocking gear movably mounted on said main shaft and having a cocking ratchet coaxial therewith and fixed and adapted to engage the t h. of s cc eccentric drive, a drive gear ;i

- un g arthereto, a cooking pawl keyed t9 a ieiteatel raaid name-estimat ng gear, andsaid t trap as ra c.het, mean N a andipawl tc tia cam mounted, qnfls idframeadapted sa d frameeos ill tiegeear stationar to disengage said cocking pawl ,and" coel;ing during the trap-cooking operationand for holdr h i oscina ion'oi an name 6 nseam rap-necking eea siatiqnary while th i adapted 1 113 91 i no kedpos t andrive S c k g s a enntro c wl means 39,. gir a target trapgh ri ga ease, a support heldine ai r n leea sta narygdur ns a thereon nrse r meahan sm,airamemounted cocking er n and for e d drive i9lT l2l 9 .Qfififififi su o t. mechanism for e Stationery whil saidliram i a llatedlby l0 osci lati g said Liramaa spring actuated target a e r c driveni an ooo er t s 1th said threw-inseam mot-a m unted on sa dimme .eo 'p nmean fo efie ti iea T ends-11a meahanism Io reciting said t ap mea for i n iatio oi sc la onnf sa d f ame ite fililtf s dtraaanriainotor e o rationtheretrap'is fired, electrical means cr eperatin gear mechan smccompri in -,c erentia1 s tr ra l adiust blemeansi rch n in 15 sea i ie i iihnne sta i thetrein-fidepitefl e ec entricity of saidec ent corivetopennit driteathe me hanism for osciuating ,saidtrame, ad tment o he ang e throu h said another searin the ra n adapted to drive the fr is c l a ed ad u tablermeans fqreffiem mech nism or cookin the trap, and no h r tively changing the length of the llinkbfitwefin ge the train --op rated M-by said motor and ai fr me and said eccentr c .d ii e ,to rmit 2. a apte to d ive alternate y said frame-psal- 1211? rang-1e f-9 =i efim sa d frame t he hite ati g sear and sa t ap-co k ng gear. means ed, a u ab e me ns on sa d same: for osifor amin s-alien m oscillatinggear stationary t qn ne the tar et the eon; and anus: er du e the -t in en ra on. m ans or Fittin be ween sai .fram 'a d hd Sine'ade ted n r ssaid i rap-eoc singgear stat on ry o s s mov ment o said f am 'ahd the-t an is necked position, and means for aid car ier;

:In tarsettran t e,comtina ionefahasa itiated af r the an-i zfireda su port i ie :eo ie mounted as "l- ,1.0- I a,ta ee t aa e embinationofa base lat on' on sa d suppo t mecha ism for as leta suppo on, a @f-r me mounted for o ci inssaid f ame. a spring actuated terse l. sna -a anemiaintima d-tar e ns arm moun ed, said i ma'ira ehani biy m9=lm11 d-,on-.said frame, cocking sai ap a m s saidtraame hanism :fo t ap, a d means i o sa d oto o aid s m hani ms coi -P ism W flal ne ary gea s 6- Th ta et rap o cla m a in whi the spring is a a m t eate nor-led sees termitesrrata asten d a on en to aid inane ta awfil e0 1111,-

tar et 7 l. ir m n l d at the rather endto said mechamounted ior oscillation .on said h f r kin said trap. su por a sprin a tuated target throwing a tar et trap having a base, a support movably mounted on said frame, mechanism -for thereon o gear m c ani m a mounted cachi said nan, me hani m for firms said for oscillation on said support, mechanism for i iaplfindlamaterielloheratioptheneef,phenomoscillating said frame, a spm aptuated target bi itionteomprisinga link movablyleonnected at throwing arm movalely mounted on Said frhf fi, Q 1? and to said frame and having an annulu a mechanism for cocking sa-id trapjgnean s tor firits ,other end with matches spaced ahout the ing said trap, and a motor for operationthereon, periphery of said a having an 5B0:- the gear mechanism comprising diiferential 5o centrically spaced hole and adapted to fit the hole gearing with one gear in the train adapted to in said annulus, a screw havi g a po 3 drive the mechanism for oscillating said frame, naled in said hole in said hub and a threaded another gear in the train adapted to drive the portion for movably mounting said link on said mechanism for cooking the trap, and another support, and a latch movably mounted on said gear in the train operated by said motor and hub adapted to engage any one of said notches adapted to drive alternately said frame-oscilto hold said hub in fixed position in said annulus. lating gear and said trap-cocking gear, means 12. In a target trap having a base, a support for holding said frame-oscillating gear stationary thereon, a frame mounted for oscillation on said during the trap cocking operation and means supp rt, a Spri ac uat target throwing arm for holding said trap-cocking gear stationary so movably mounted on said frame, mechanism for while the trap is in cocked position. cocking said trap, means for firing said trap,

8. In a target trap, the combination of a base, and a motor for operation thereof, mechanismv a housing thereon for gear mechanism, a frame for oscillating said frame including an adjustmounted for oscillation on said housing, mechable eccentric drive which comprises: a link anism for oscillating said frame, a spring actumovably connected at one end to said frame and ated target throwing arm movably mounted on having an annulus at its other end with notches said frame, mechanism for cooking said trap, spaced about the periphery of said annulus, a means for firing said trap, a motor for operahub having an eccentrically spaced hole and tion thereon, and gear mechanism within said adapted to fit the hole in said ann lus, an housing comprising differential gearing with one justing screw having one portion journaled in gear in the train adapted to drive the oscillation said hole in said hub and a threaded portion, a mechanism for said frame, another gear in the shaft journaled in said support and driven by train adapted to drive the trap-cocking mechasaid motor, a disk mounted on the end of said nism, and another gear in the train adapted to shaft with spaced threaded holes therein with be continuously rotated by said motor and drive each of said holes adapted to receive the threaded portion of said screw, and

"a latch "movably mounted on said hub and adapted to engage any one of said notches to hold said hub in position in said annulus.

13. In a'target trap, the combination of a base, a support thereon for gear mechanism, a frame mounted for oscillation on said support, mechanism for oscillating said frame, a spring actuated target throwing arm movably mounted on said frame, mechanism for cooking said trap, a motor for operation thereof, and means for preventing target-damaging shock movements of said frame and throwing arm comprising a recoil snubber acting between said frame and said support.

14. In a target trap, the combination of a base, a support thereon for gear mechanism, a frame mounted for oscillation on said support, mechanism for oscillating said frame, a spring actuated target throwing arm movably mounted on said frame, mechanism for cooking said trap, a motor for operation thereof, and a recoil snubber acting between said frame and said support for preventing target-damaging shock movements of said frame and throwing arm comprising a cylinder, a piston therein, and ports at each end of said cylinder connected by a passageway external of said cylinder.

15. In a target trap, the combination of a base, a support thereon for gear mechanism, a frame mounted for oscillation on said support, mechanism for oscillating said frame, a spring actuated target throwing arm movably mounted on said frame, mechanism for cooking said trap, a motor for operation thereof, and means for transmitting power from said spring to said target throwing armcomprising a main shaft passing vertically through said housing and having a crank fixedto its lower end operated by said spring, a carrier shaft having said arm secured to its upper end and inclined to the axis of said main shaft, and a universal jointconnecting the upper end of said main shaft to the lower end of said carrier shaft.

16. In a target trap, the combination of a spring actuated target throwing arm, and means for resiliently mounting said arm comprising spaced openings in said arm, rubberlike grommets in said openings, a washer provided with openings spaced in accordance with the openings in said arm, and fastening bolts disposed in the openings in said grommets and said washer securing said arm to said trap.

17. In a target trap, the combination of a spring actuated target throwing arm, and adjustable stop means for positioning targets on said arm comprising a rod, clip members face to face having holes in which said rod is disposed with each clip member having a projection extending at an angle back from its face, and a tension member about said projections tending to pull said projections together and yieldably hold the edges of said holes in looking engagement with said rod.

18. In a target trap having a base, a support thereon for' gear mechanism, a frame mounted for oscillation on said support, mechanism for oscillating said frame, a spring actuated target throwing arm mounted for rotation on said frame, mechanism for cocking said trap, mechanism for holding said trap in cocked position, trigger mechanism for firing said trap, a motor for operation of said trap, and a differential gear train transmitting the power from said motor to said cooking and oscillating mechanisms, an electrical control system comprising: a manually operable release switch for firing the trap, a manually operable master switch, an automatically operated control switch, a' control solenoid for actuating said cocking mechanism, and a release solenoid actuated by said release switch for operating said trigger mechanism, said control switch being automatically operated to disconnect said control solenoid while said trap is in cocked position and to connect said control solenoid while the trap is not in cocked position to said power source, said master switch in the on position connecting said motor and said control solenoid to the power source and in the off position shunting said release switch to fire the trap.

HARRY CLARK FOSTER.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 918,432 Fulford Apr. 13, 1909 1,728,595 Carothers Sept. 17, 1929 2,063,284 Winans Dec. 8. 1936 

